The British authorities appear to have taken a discerning attitude toward the question of the position of missionaries of their nation during the present crisis. Where definitely dangerous conditions exist it is understood that the Consular advice to evacuate women and children has been forthcoming and in certain areas, notably North Shansi, action has been taken accordingly, although single women. missionaries have decided to remain at their posts. There is apparently no desire that missionaries should even contemplate evacuation where the situation cannot be described as dangerous. The missionaries themselves recognize that they have a part to play with their fellow Christians in an hour of intense difficulty and their traditions do not point the way to abandonment of the task to which they have devoted their lives, with the already noted reservation regarding the proper removal of wives and children from manifestly dangerous surroundings. This view is evidently shared by their American colleagues who may be expected to take exactly the same line—a point which Washington will probably appreciate when the situation has been more clearly expounded from this side of the Pacific. In other words missionaries do not intend to show less devotion to their work here than the merchants and traders whose sturdy persistence and disregard of danger has been an inspiration to their community. This is'generally welcomed, for those who are best acquainted with China's meeds will agree that missionary labour has been of the utmost benefit to this country. To impose upon it a period of inactivity would be most regrettable and inflict an unmerited disability on Chinese institutions in a time of much stress and strain when missionary ministrations may bring solace and guidance of real worth, without in any way imperilling their governments' diplomatic positions,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.